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Welcome to the girl’s lacrosse home page. For additional information on the program,
please contact our Head Coach, Mrs. Audra Kielbowicz at
audra.kielbowicz@ignatius.org.
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IHSWLA State Semi-Finalist
2011 3rd Place
Chicago Metro League Champions
2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
Introduction
Ignatius Lacrosse is embarking on its tenth full season and is being supported as
a varsity sport for its third year! The 2011 team enjoyed their best ever season
as they advanced deep into the playoffs to the Illinois Final Four. An overtime
win against Libertyville in the Consolation Semi-Final was an exciting season highlight
and earned the Wolfpack third place in the state. The program strives to build leadership
skills, to emphasize teamwork and to strengthen character. The coaches embrace a
style which enables the players to aggressively build their lacrosse skills as individual
athletes at the lower level, then stress team defense and offensive strategies at
the upper levels.
Parent Support
While the lacrosse program is fully supported by the school, there is still a great
need for parent volunteers. The program has continued the tradition of scheduling
bonding activities, and each home game requires volunteers to set up the field,
keep score, and run the time clock. Parental involvement is a great motivator for
the players, and it increases a parent’s understanding of the game, making it more
enjoyable to watch.
Coaching Staff
The Wolfpack coaching staff consists of highly skilled individuals who played in
college and beyond. The coaches are committed to the success of both the program
and the individual players. They actively go above and beyond their duties by supporting
players both on and off season!
The Mechanics of the Team
The program is divided into three levels - varsity, junior varsity and freshmen/
sophomore. The varsity team will compete in 12-14 games, the state playoff tournament
and one out-of-state weekend tournament. The JV team will compete in 10-12 games,
one local tournament, and one out-of-state tournament. The freshmen team will compete
in 4-8 games and one local tournament. The first week of practices are tryouts.
Team rosters will be communicated on the day after tryouts conclude.
Out-of-State Tournament
The Varsity and JV teams will be traveling again this year to an out-of-state lacrosse
tournament on April 27-28, 2012. They will be competing in the annual Culver Academy
Lacrosse Tournament in Culver, Indiana. This tournament enables the players to experience
a higher level of play with outstanding teams from Indiana and Michigan. This tournament
is not funded by Saint Ignatius, so the families are expected to pay $150 per player
to attend the tournament. The fees include bus transportation to/from Culver, hotel
accommodations on Saturday night, meals during the tournament and tournament fees.
Parents are encouraged to attend the tournament and cheer the girls on, but plan
your trip early. Hotel accommodations are limited since it will be Culver Academy’s
parent’s weekend. For more information, please contact Jim Doherty at dohertymrj@aol.com.
The Spirit of the Team
The Wolfpack varsity, JV and freshman/sophomore teams work very closely together
throughout the season. A “Big Sister” program facilitates interaction between the
more experienced players and the players still building their skills or even starting
lacrosse out for the very first time. The “Big Sister Program” allows girls of different
skill levels and grade levels to get to know each other, to learn from each other
and to have fun together!
The Expectations of the Team: In-Season
The season runs roughly from late February through late May. Throughout the season,
practice is held from Monday through Friday from 3:15-5:15 and on Saturday at a
time to be determined based on field availability. We understand that inevitably
there are conflicts that come up and sickness/unexpected obligations occur (i.e.
retreats, family emergencies, etc.) Please tell coaches prior to the absence. However,
lacrosse is a commitment and we expect that all players will be dedicated to attending
ALL of the practices and games. Therefore, the following attendance policy exists:
- If the player has an unexcused absence and misses a practice, they will serve a
one day game suspension.
- If the player has an unexcused absence and misses a game, they will serve a two
day game suspension.
- If the player has an excused absence and misses practice the day before a game,
they will not be eligible to start in that game.
- If the player has an excused absence and misses a game, they will not be eligible
to start in the next game scheduled.
The Expectations of the Team: Off-Season
Ignatius Girls Lacrosse operates at the highest levels of Illinois high school lacrosse
and, as such, requires a high level of athleticism and stick skills. The coaches
expect the players to stay conditioned and to practice their stick sills all year
long without sacrificing academic performance. The coaches encourage the girls to
participate in other school sports as a way to stay fit. If a player has the wherewithal
to participate in summer lacrosse camps, fall lacrosse clubs or winter indoor programs,
these programs are strongly encouraged by the coaching staff. Contact Coach Audra
with any questions about local off-season lacrosse programs.
Commitment over Spring Break
Girls lacrosse is a spring sport. Practices and games scheduled during spring break
are mandatory, just as they are in other high school spring sports. Team members
must plan to attend these practices as absences from any practices or games will
be noted as unexcused, including absences due to family vacations. Unexcused absences
from practices will result in reduced playing time in subsequent games.
Communication
Communication during the season will occur in a number of ways. The coaching staff
will continually provide information to the players at practice. Broadcast emails
to the parents and players will be sent periodically. Urgent communication will
occur via Twitter, so players and parents are urged to sign up to receive Twitter
messages as text messages on their cell phones (follow SICP_Girls_Lax). The lacrosse
game schedules and results will be posted on the Ignatius website.
Transportation
It is school policy that players are transported to away games by bus from school
Monday through Friday. At least one coach will ride on the bus with the players
to and from all away games. Players will have the option to ride the bus back to
Ignatius after the game. While it is mandatory that the player travels to the game
on the bus, it is not mandatory that they take the bus back to school after the
game. Players are required to find their own transportation to weekend games and
practices.
Uniforms
Players are assigned a uniform, including a skirt and two numbered shirts, at the
beginning of the season. They must return the uniform cleaned and in good condition
at the end of the season or will be charged the replacement cost.
Spirit-wear
Optional player apparel will be available for purchase during the season. More information
regarding team spirit-wear will be provided at a later date.
Equipment
Members of the team must provide their own equipment which includes sticks, mouth
guard, protective eyewear and spikes. If you have any questions about what equipment
to purchase, please contact Coach Audra.
Compliance with School
Lacrosse is a club sport but all Saint Ignatius College Prep and its Athletic Department
rules (found on the school website) are expected to be followed. Violations of these
rules will be handled according to school policy. All players must have an IHSA
approved physical on hand with the Athletic Department prior to the first day of
practice/tryouts in the spring.
Directions to Games
All directions to games can be found on the IHSLA website: www.ihswla.org